A very interesting opinion piece. And a few of the comments posted were in agreement, that's a good sign too. DP
By SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD
Seattlepi.com: We are not sure how future historians will view this period of immigration to this country of immigrants. But we do know things have to change, in many ways.
Today's broken system needs to be fixed in the most comprehensive of ways. In the current atmosphere, of course, that will be attacked as code for wholesale acceptance of millions of illegal entrants. But we think comprehensive reform goes far beyond clearer, more humane rules to, on the one hand, restoring the rule of law and, on the opposite side, to generously fostering economic development in the rest of the Americas and beyond.
Reform begins with confidence in our future, our values and ourselves. We can have predictability without cruelty. We can help businesses find workers without cheating Americans. We can regulate immigration without walling ourselves in.
Immigration reform begins with having enough legal options, including for those here already, to make criminal conduct less attractive. Family reunification must be expedited, not left to a distant dream. There have to be options for both permanent and temporary entry for workers to fill jobs Americans don't want or can't do. At the same time, we have to be working on effective economic development abroad, abandoning ideas of raiding other nations for nurses and providing education so all Americans have real opportunities at home.
We can revive our ideals of fair, compassionate and intelligent welcome. But it won't be easy.
First in a series of editorials on immigration reform. Monday: The political challenges.
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